45 years of a mostly good run

Dragsinger · 11-21-2017, 11:19 AM

After much pondering and 45 years of service to the community, I am closing my general automotive service shop.

Up until the last few years, it has been a good run, I have only a few regrets.

For the short term, I am kicking back and unwinding. Then I have a few "pet" race customers to build project for.

The closing is triggering a full range of emotions. First, it is a huge relief to end the financial burden. Yet, a fellow does not just turn off 45 years of relationships. Some of those relations will never end, just take on a different form.

Also, at least one for the upcoming projects will be a documented build so standby

Hacksaw · 11-21-2017, 11:35 AM

Congrats Larry. Hope you enjoy your semi retirement. I often hear guys wonder how they found time to work because they are so busy. Try to wind down and relax. All the best.

richie 2 · 11-21-2017, 03:26 PM

"the end of financial burden" larry is the key...you'll be a new man !!! congrats & racer tks for all the hard work. cheers!

1matcoman · 11-21-2017, 08:44 PM

Larry, congratulations on your 45 year run. Awesome job!!!
Yes, those relationships that you've formed have some deep roots and it will be very difficult to deal with those folks in the same manner as you have in the past. Just know that to have made your business work and thrive for that length of time, you obviously were "doing it right". Hats off to ya, sir.

GSlaton · 11-21-2017, 08:50 PM

Larry does this mean you will have more time to race? Hope so, would like to see you out there next year. This retirement thing is not all positives, at 73 years old I was still working until hurricane Harvey decided it would be ok to close the business where I was employed. Now I have more time than I want to work on the race car. Anyway best of luck whatever you decide to do with your time.

Gary

Dragsinger · 11-21-2017, 09:09 PM

Gary,

it is good to hear from you, I do think of our IHRA days from time to time. Good days, good times, a simpler life. OR, were we just younger and stronger?

After a brief time to deflate, I'll be back in action.

Dragsinger · 11-21-2017, 09:11 PM

Gary,

I suppose you have noticed our buddy Pete Perry has never let up!

GSlaton · 11-21-2017, 09:23 PM

Yea I have been racing with Pete since I moved back to Bowie. We just got back from Las Vegas and Pomona. We were wore out after two and half weeks. That trip home seemed to take forever. Oh yea by the way it takes longer to recover after a long trip. We were for sure younger, more energetic, and might have been better looking.

see ya at races

Gary

MAURICE BLENDHEIM · 11-21-2017, 11:37 PM

Larry…Wishing you enjoyment to your latest decision. It's been great getting to know you… Maurice.

11-21-2017, 11:19 AM	#1
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,759 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	45 years of a mostly good run After much pondering and 45 years of service to the community, I am closing my general automotive service shop. Up until the last few years, it has been a good run, I have only a few regrets. For the short term, I am kicking back and unwinding. Then I have a few "pet" race customers to build project for. The closing is triggering a full range of emotions. First, it is a huge relief to end the financial burden. Yet, a fellow does not just turn off 45 years of relationships. Some of those relations will never end, just take on a different form. Also, at least one for the upcoming projects will be a documented build so standby __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

11-21-2017, 11:35 AM	#2
Hacksaw Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 838 Likes: 148 Liked 276 Times in 151 Posts	Re: 45 years of a mostly good run Congrats Larry. Hope you enjoy your semi retirement. I often hear guys wonder how they found time to work because they are so busy. Try to wind down and relax. All the best.

11-21-2017, 03:26 PM	#3
richie 2 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 917 Likes: 321 Liked 156 Times in 72 Posts	Re: 45 years of a mostly good run "the end of financial burden" larry is the key...you'll be a new man !!! congrats & racer tks for all the hard work. cheers! Last edited by richie 2; 11-21-2017 at 04:23 PM.

11-21-2017, 08:44 PM	#4
1matcoman Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 305 Likes: 490 Liked 280 Times in 111 Posts	Re: 45 years of a mostly good run Larry, congratulations on your 45 year run. Awesome job!!! Yes, those relationships that you've formed have some deep roots and it will be very difficult to deal with those folks in the same manner as you have in the past. Just know that to have made your business work and thrive for that length of time, you obviously were "doing it right". Hats off to ya, sir.

11-21-2017, 08:50 PM	#5
GSlaton Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Bowie,Texas Posts: 66 Likes: 32 Liked 26 Times in 12 Posts	Re: 45 years of a mostly good run Larry does this mean you will have more time to race? Hope so, would like to see you out there next year. This retirement thing is not all positives, at 73 years old I was still working until hurricane Harvey decided it would be ok to close the business where I was employed. Now I have more time than I want to work on the race car. Anyway best of luck whatever you decide to do with your time. Gary

11-21-2017, 09:09 PM	#6
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,759 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: 45 years of a mostly good run Gary, it is good to hear from you, I do think of our IHRA days from time to time. Good days, good times, a simpler life. OR, were we just younger and stronger? After a brief time to deflate, I'll be back in action. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

11-21-2017, 09:11 PM	#7
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,759 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: 45 years of a mostly good run Gary, I suppose you have noticed our buddy Pete Perry has never let up! __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

11-21-2017, 09:23 PM	#8
GSlaton Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Bowie,Texas Posts: 66 Likes: 32 Liked 26 Times in 12 Posts	Re: 45 years of a mostly good run Yea I have been racing with Pete since I moved back to Bowie. We just got back from Las Vegas and Pomona. We were wore out after two and half weeks. That trip home seemed to take forever. Oh yea by the way it takes longer to recover after a long trip. We were for sure younger, more energetic, and might have been better looking. see ya at races Gary

11-21-2017, 11:37 PM	#9
MAURICE BLENDHEIM Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Langley (no igloos), British Columbia, Canada Posts: 551 Likes: 269 Liked 228 Times in 78 Posts	Re: 45 years of a mostly good run Larry…Wishing you enjoyment to your latest decision. It's been great getting to know you… Maurice.